Hakkasan to open in SF at One Kearny

[soupçon]

Thanks to Eater SF, we know that Hakkasan will be coming to San Francisco as part of a global expansion plan. Hakkasan's original London location was the first Chinese Restaurant anywhere to receive a Michelin Star and it's known for super-pricey Cantonese food.

The Bloomberg article Eater referenced is at:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12...

[soupçon]

Is there a last minute snag for Hakkasan? Found this noticed plastered across both main lobby windows at 1 Kearny today. Tony Sanchez-Corea is a developer and permit expediter.

Oops, Here's a link to a version of the pic that can be enlarged for readability http://goo.gl/p0xPX

[Robert Lauriston]

Maybe they're seeking approval for modifications to the previously approved plans.

[casalbore spirit]

Did not care for the food at Hakkasan's Bombay location.Food was very pricey and not tasty.There is fabulous Chinese,Chindian and Chinjabi food in India with great ingredients available.Sent a dish back at Hakkasan and didn't understand why the quality of food was poor.Haven't tried the original in London yet.Having much hope for the SF location as at those prices it will have to be fantastic.

[moto]

the Hakkasan in London was expensive relative to the other Chinese places in the Soho-west end area when we tried it a few years ago, but the prices were moderate for a place with their quality of food, ambience, service relative to other nice London establishments, about the same as the better Indian places in central London. Chinese cooking isn't intrinsically inferior to French, yet most people expect to pay more for French cooking.

[mr_darcy]

Completely agree with the last sentence - it's an uphill battle for restaurants like Hakkasan due to the historical circumstances that led to a whole bunch of cheap Chinese restaurants in the Western world. Hopefully it'll be a good start in shifting perceptions.

[calumin]

It will be interesting to see how Hakkasan compares with Yank Sing. People tend to think Yank Sing is expensive, but it will likely be really cheap compared to Hakkasan.

The Chinese food scene in SF is generally maligned, but I think it is better here than at any other Hakkasan location (London, Mumbai, New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Dubai, Abu Dhabi). I confess I haven't been to the cities in the Middle East, but I see more competition here than at any of the other cities.

[Ruth Lafler]

We were discussion this fact over a lovely dinner at South Sea Seafood Village last night (upon seeing some raw geoduck being served on a bed of ice, surrounded by thin half-moons of lemon slices in a carved wooden dragon boat). People often excuse the difference on things like presentation and plating, but some of the most beautiful and elaborate plating I've ever seen has been at Chinese banquets.

Still, it would be nice if Chinese restaurants were recognized and appreciated for their own style, instead of because they've hybridized by adding Western service, decor and cocktails.

[soupçon]

Hakkasan's sign went up today.

[wolfe]

Can't wait to try this dish called Gilding the Duck.
Peking duck with Royal Beluga caviar
whole duck, with 16 pancakes and 30g Royal Beluga caviar
second course with a choice of XO sauce, black bean sauce or ginger and spring onion
(24 hours notice required)
From the Mayfair menu.

[scoopG]

Pipa Duck on the NYC Hakkasan menu has received some good reviews. The duck dish with caviar is $295.00.

[wolfe]

Wow! Only $295 and I thought it was going to be expensive.
Kaluga caviar is in greater supply and cheaper than Beluga therefore the cost saving on the US menu.

[scoopG]

$321 after NYC sales tax. Many in NYC have complained of the "high prices" at Hakkasan and proximity to Times Square. A few have even eaten there!

[timeo]

Hopefully the food will be substantially better than Wagamama. Eek.

[MikeW]

My one visit in London five plus years ago was pretty incredible but incredibly expensive. Interested to see how the SF version will be.

[Robert Lauriston]

Inside Scoop says they're supposed to open 12/3 and they have a PDF of the a la carte menu (first page is blank).

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/...

[Robert Lauriston]

Eater says the 12/3 opening has been delayed because some furniture hasn't arrived.

[soupçon]

Is that new? I read it as the opening has been delayed *TO* Dec. 3 from Nov. 28.

http://sf.eater.com/archives/2012/11/...

Meanwhile, it has its first 5-Star review on Yelp.

[Robert Lauriston]

Oh yeah, I got that backwards.